Kefir remains a popular fermented milk beverage, despite the increasingly competitive beverage market. Many people drink kefir for its alleged health benefits, according to a 2007 report in the “Nestle Nutrition Workshop Series.” The...
Fenugreek is a popular flavoring in Mediterranean and Indian cuisine. The seeds are also used in traditional healing systems to treat inflammatory conditions, including swelling and congestion of the sinuses. However, ask your physician if therapy...
The food you eat is made of molecules called macromolecules. These are proteins, carbohydrates and fats. When food is digested, enzymes in the body break down these macromolecules. The end result of digestion is the production of glucose to...
The term, cellulitis refers to a diffuse and especially subcutaneous inflammation of the dermis, the sensitive vascular inner mesodermic layer of the skin. The species of staphylococcus and streptococcus bacteria are the most common causative...
Detoxification happens naturally every time you breathe. Your body moves toxins out of the body through the skin, colon, liver, kidneys and heart. A fruit diet can also help your body cleanse the colon and other internal organs. After a short...
You may be most familiar with fenugreek as a seasoning found in curry powders and pickled foods, but this Middle Eastern and Asian herb also has a long history of use in treating some female conditions. Fenugreek, or Trigonella foenum-graecum, is...
Ganoderma is a common abbreviation for the mushroom species called Ganoderma lucidum, or reishi mushroom. This mushroom has a significant history of usage in China and other Asian countries, and it's sometimes used in the U.S. as an immune system...
A rash caused by skin contact with an allergen is referred to by the medical term "allergic contact dermatitis." Allergic contact dermatitis occurs when the body identifies a foreign substance as being a potential threat and responds by releasing...
Proteolytic enzymes are produced by the pancreas to break down proteases, or proteins. While these agents play an important role in digestion, cancers and viruses also utilize these enzymes to self-replicate and invade healthy cells. In addition...
Enzymes aid in digestion, and mainly come from the foods you eat. The pancreas supplies your primary digestive enzymes, and food enzymes are also an important part of the natural digestion process. Eating the right foods can enhance your digestion...
Despite the name, the strawberry is not a true berry but a pseudocarp, which means some of the fruit's flesh sprouted from nearby accessory tissue of the plant instead of an ovary. Nevertheless, the fruit provides sustenance for a variety of...
Ganoderma lucidum is the botanical name for a mushroom more commonly known as reishi or lingzhi mushroom. The fungus has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for more than 2,000 years, where it is locally referred to as the "mushroom of...
Ganoderma lucidum is more commonly called reishi mushroom, ling zhi or ling chi. Ganoderma is a type of mushroom that's used medicinally for a variety of purposes, but most commonly for its potential adaptogenic effects to improve the body's...
Eggs are rich sources of all the essential proteins needed for human health. One egg contains 7 g of protein, with 4 g coming from the egg white and 3 g contained in the yolk. According to Yiu Hui in "Handbook of Food Science, Technology and...
As more people continue to struggle with their weight, many have turned to over-the-counter supplements in hopes that they will help shed unwanted pounds. Unfortunately, because supplements are not regulated, many supplement manufacturers make...
Ulcers are lesions in the lining of the gastrointestinal tract. Stress, bacteria, smoking, alcohol and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs can weaken the mucosal lining and cause ulceration. Ulcers can be an acute or chronic disorder, alternating...
Bromelain is found in the stems and juice of pineapples, a fruit found growing mainly in tropical climes. Bromelain is a combination of proteolytic enzymes that breakdown and digest proteins in the body. Most of the bromelain in pineapple is found...
Proteases, also called proteinases or peptidases, are important enzymes that function by breaking proteins into smaller peptides, defined as two or more amino acids linked together. Meat and eggs contain large protein chains. Proteases occur in a...
Eating a diet rich in fruits and vegetables as part of an overall healthy diet reduces the risk for stroke and other chronic diseases, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. We go through our lives eating fruits and vegetables without...
Pineapple is a tropical fruit widely available in most grocery stores and produce markets. It is rich in manganese and contains plenty of copper, fiber and vitamins B-1, B-6 and C. While these nutrients are important to health, it is the bromelain...
Prostate cancer is the result of cells of the prostate (which is a gland located at the base of the penis) growing abnormally quickly, leading to cancer. As the American Cancer Society explains, prostate cancer can spread to other tissues. The...
In a protein crystal, the molecules occur in a regular, repeating pattern. According to Columbia University's School of Computer Science, the Protein Structure Initiative -- started in 2000 and ongoing as of 2010 -- will determine the structure of...
Papaya and pineapple enzymes are both classified as proteolytic enzymes, meaning that they digest proteins. Papaya enzymes are extracted from the leaves and fruit of the papaya plant and are collectively known as papain. Pineapple enzymes, or...
Zymex II is a supplement meant to provide you with digestive support that also may help you get rid of pinworms. It has natural digestive enzymes derived from substances like almonds and figs. Always consult a health care provider before trying to...
Your digestive system has evolved to break down the complex molecules you consume as food into small, simple units of amino acids, sugars and fats. These basic molecules are then used to build organs and tissues throughout your body. The process...
Fruits contain high doses of enzymes, natural compounds that help to ease normal digestion and other body functions. The University of Maryland Medical Center notes that pineapples and papayas are tropical fruits that contain particularly...
Bodybuilders, like all competitive athletes, have to pay close attention to their diets if they wish to perform at their peak. To achieve the combination of physical ability and appearance required to be a successful bodybuilder, close attention...
